Reed Lakes Hiking Elopement: Mackenzie & Matt’s Wild Alaskan Wedding Adventure

Some couples dream of a ballroom. Others dream of mountain air, glacial lakes, and reciting their vows at 3,000 feet. Mackenzie and Matt chose the latter…and their Reed Lakes hiking elopement in Hatcher Pass, Alaska, was nothing short of breathtaking.

Their day began tucked into a quiet cabin in Palmer. The light outside was golden, filtering through trees, as Mackenzie stepped into her flowy white dress—one she’d wear for the entire hike. Hiking boots on, dress trailing behind her, she looked like a bride made for the backcountry. Matt laced his boots and met her outside for their first look: just the two of them.

The Journey to Reed Lakes

The trail to Reed Lakes is no easy hike…this is Alaska, after all. With over 9 miles round-trip, rocky scrambles, and over 1,800 feet of elevation gain, a Reed Lakes hiking elopement is for the bold and the brave. But the reward? Unreal.

They began their hike in the afternoon, sunlight washing the alpine meadows in warm light. The first section offered gentle trail alongside Reed Creek and the sweet scent of spruce and wildflowers. But as they ascended, the terrain changed—boulders, switchbacks, and narrow scrambles added challenge to every step. Through it all, Mackenzie hiked in her wedding dress, its hem catching on rock and brush, flowing behind her like something out of a dream.

Intimate Moments in the Mountains

At the lower lake, they paused to breathe, to take it all in. The water reflected the surrounding peaks like glass, the silence broken only by distant waterfalls and laughter. Higher still, they reached Upper Reed Lake, framed by dramatic cliffs and turquoise waters that looked too surreal to be real.

There, with boots planted on rocky ground and sky stretching endlessly above, they exchanged vows. No arch. No chairs. Just wind and water and the deepest kind of stillness.

Afterward, they celebrated with the simplest pleasures: peanut butter and jelly sandwiches and a small wedding cake they’d packed to the top. A picnic never tasted so good.

Why Choose a Reed Lakes Hiking Elopement?

A Reed Lakes hiking elopement is more than a location—it’s an experience. It asks something of you. It requires grit, intention, and a shared spirit of adventure. But what it gives back is magic: turquoise lakes, jagged peaks, wildflowers at your feet, and a ceremony carved into the land itself.

For Mackenzie and Matt, this wasn’t just a wedding. It was a story they’ll tell for the rest of their lives—of a day that began with quiet in a cabin, and ended with cake on a cliffside, breathless and wild and free.

Planning Your Own Hiking Elopement?

If you’re dreaming of your own Reed Lakes hiking elopement, here are a few tips:

• Be prepared for the terrain: Good boots, layers, and snacks are a must.
• Pack light but meaningful: A small cake, a handwritten vow book, or a special keepsake can make the experience even more personal.
• Leave no trace: Respect the land you’re marrying on—pack everything out and stay on trail.
• Hire an Alaska photographer who knows the trail: Having someone who can guide and capture the journey makes all the difference.

Final Thoughts

In a world that often rushes weddings indoors, Mackenzie and Matt chose the sky. Their Reed Lakes hiking elopement was raw, real, and unforgettable. It was a reminder that love—like Alaska—is vast, rugged, and impossibly beautiful.